AN officer from Dartmoor Prison is this week celebrating after scooping top honours at prestigious national award ceremony.

Steve Allum, 42, has been named Prison Officer of the Year for his motivational work at HMP Dartmoor?s resettlement unit. The announcement means double honours for the unit, which also won the Public Servant Team of the Year award this spring.

Steve collected his top award from Prisons Minister Paul Goggins and the director general of the prison service, Phil Wheatley, during a ceremony at the Chateau Impney Hotel in Worcestershire on Monday night.

Steve, who has worked in the prison service for 16 years, said: ?This is unreal, I wasn?t expecting it at all.

?There?s a lot of people in the job that do a lot of good. I?m part of a team of eight, we all work together. I?ve just been very lucky to come out top.?

Steve, who lives in Princetown with his wife Fiona and their two children, was praised by the prisons minister for his ?drive and determination?.

He has been instrumental in developing the resettlement unit, which aims to help inmates generate a ?positive outlook? before they move on to open prisons.

The award also recognised his efforts in designing and implementing systems which complement the smooth operation of the unit, and for his concern for the care of prisoners and their rehabilitation and resettlement.

Zoe Short, residential manager for the resettlement unit at Dartmoor, said: ?This is absolutely the most fantastic end to a really positive year for the resettlement unit, particularly combined with the award we won in April.

?We are very excited and very proud of him ? it?s real recognition for the work and commitment put in to bring in change and make Dartmoor a much more positive place to be.?

She said the award would also have a very positive effect on inmates at the prison. Those who had secured a coveted place at Dartmoor?s resettlement unit worked very closely with officers and were proud to be part of the pioneering work at the prison, she said.

In presenting the award, minister Paul Goggins said: ?I have met many officers who have impressed me with their professionalism and energy ? often in demanding circumstances ? and I can see the difference they are making to offenders? lives.

?This is an opportunity to recognise, reward and celebrate what you accomplish through your determination, enthusiasm and hard work.?

In addition to the prestigious award, Steve also scooped a holiday for two and a silver salver.

More than 450 prison officers throughout the country were nominated for the awards, with just three in eight different categories reaching the finals.

Steve was not the only member of staff at HMP Dartmoor to make it to the finals ? Philip Thomas was runner-up in the healthcare category, for his outstanding work in dealing with vulnerable and mentally ill prisoners.